Western Counties West

Wiveliscombe 17, Tiverton 24

WIVELISCOMBE were beaten in a crunch game against fellow strugglers Tiverton on Saturday, writes Roger Bellamy.

These two teams have not met each other for several seasons but have a long history of fixtures; this one was a must-win for both, as they continue to struggle in a very competitive league where every point is vital.

Tiverton won the toss and unsurprisingly chose to play up the slope in the first half.

The visitors’ forwards outweighed the home team’s eight, which would prove the decisive factor later in the match.

Tiverton took the lead after good possession which allowed their backs room to put winger George Whiting in for the game’s first try.

Wiveliscombe came back into the game after good pressure from their forwards, which resulted in a try from second row Ross Pearson.

Fly-half George Rowe converted to put Wivey 7-5 ahead.

The hosts had a good period of pressure around the visitors’ 22, forcing the issue in a series of scrums which ended in a penalty try and a 14-5 advantage at half-time.

Tiverton used their pack to drive the home forwards back down the slope at every opportunity, but Wiveliscombe did enough to prevent easy scoring opportunities.

It was the visitors’ backs who used good possession to create space for left wing Whiting to score two more tries for his hat-trick, and with Ed Sanders adding one conversion, the hosts now trailed 17-14.

Wiveliscombe had opportunities to add to their score but were limited to a Rowe penalty to level the scores.

Both teams were now desperate to gain that all-important winning score, and it was Tiverton who scored a bonus-point fourth try to seal the victory.

Scrum-half Jack Sampson finished off good pressure from his forwards to touch down, and Sanders converted to leave the home team with one losing bonus point.

This coming Saturday sees Wiveliscombe - now third from bottom - travel to third-placed Teignmouth, while Wivey 2nd XI host Tor in Somerset 2 South.

Wiveliscombe Colts 50, Nailsea & Backwell Colts 0

THE Wivey Under-18s continued their excellent form this season with a convincing victory over their visitors from North Somerset.

This Somerset Colts Cup quarter-final victory was deserved reward for a committed team who have flourished under the guidance of coach Des Corfield, who has worked so hard with the Wiveliscombe youngsters.